Folding louvered closures



F ,1969 HIROSHI KAWAMURA 3,426,653

FOLDING LOUVERED CLOSURE-S Sheet Filed Oct. 16, 1967 I l I INVENTOR Hiroshi Kawomuru BY g gmfiww ATTORNEY Feb. 11, 1969 HIROSHI KAWAMURA 3,426,653 FOLDING LOUVERED CLOSURES Filed Oct. 16, 1967 Sheet 3 of e I mvmon Hiroshi Kuwomuru wwqw,

ATTORNEYS Feb. 11, 1969 HIROSHI KAWAMURA 3,426,653 FOLDING LOUVERED CLOSURES Filed Oct. 16, 1967 Sheet 3 of e INVENTOR Hlroshi Kawamum i6M/ MQM ATTORNEY} Sheet Filed Oct. 16, 1967 INVENTOR ITIUTO Hiroshi Kawo ATTORNEY) Feb. 11, 1969 HIROSHI KAWAMURA 3,426,653 FOLDING LOUVERED CLOSURES Filed Oct. 16, 1967 Sheet 5 of 6 7% 1 4i W N M 83 l2 6 If INVENTOR Hiroshi Kowomuru ATTORNEYS Feb. 1, 1969 HIROSH KAWAMURA 3,425,653

FOLDING LOUVERED CLOSURES Sheet Filed Oct. 16, 1967 MENTOR Hiroshi Kowomura BYMVW United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A louvered attachment for windows, doors and the like, the louvers thereof being pivotally mounted for opening and closing of the same and being slidably supported so that they can be folded to one side of the window, door, etc, and thus substantially removed from the opening of the window, door, etc.

Disclosure This invention relates to improvements; in folding louvered closures.

Since the louvered attachment of this invention will be primarily used in connection with windows, and in order to avoid undue encumbrance of this disclosure, the invention will be described accordingly. It is, however, to be understood that the louvered attachment of this invention is readily adaptable for use in doors and other structures in which the same might be useful, and the invention is not to be constructed as being limited to use in connection with windows.

Louvered attachments [for windows frequently included axially rotating louvers which may be rotated to various degrees of closure. However, such previously provided attachments are not constructed to enable the louvers to be folded to one side of the opening of the window. The primary object of this invention is to provide a louvered attachment having rotatable louvers which can be regulated to change the angle of opening thereof from fully opened to fully closed and in which the louvers can be [folded to one side of the window.

A further object of this invention is to provide a louvered attachment having rotatable louvers which may be locked in operative position for concurrent opening and closing thereof and are releasable (from such locked position for sliding to one side of the Window.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a portion of this specification, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a horizontal sectional view of one form of my louvered attachment.

FIG. 2 is a vertical view taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 1 and showing the louvers in a fully closed position.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal sectional View similar to FIG. 1 and showing the louvers folded to one side of a window.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional View of a modified form of my invention.

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the louvers in a fully closed position.

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view similar to FIG. 5 and showing the louvers folded to one side of a window.

As shown in the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the invention is designed so that it can be mounted in a conventional window opening. LA conventional structure is shown, including side frames 1 and 1 and upper and lower thresholds 2 and 3, defining a window opening.

The form of invention as shown in FIGS. 1-4 preferably includes a polygonal frame of suitable material such as aluminum stainless steel, etc., including side boards 4 and 4, and upper and lower frame channels 6 and 11. Side boards 4' and 4' and upper and lower frame channels 6 and 11 are respectively positioned for attachment to side frames 1 and 1, and upper and lower thresholds 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, upper frame channel 6 has a fixing board at the foot thereof and an eave 5 projecting outwardly thereover.

Lower frame channel '11 includes a fixing board 8, a lower ditch portion 10 having a lodging member 9 adjacent 'one side thereof, and, at the other side thereof, a plate .12 which projects outwardly from ditch 10. Ditch portion 10 may have a drain aperture 42. An elongated rubber member .13 is mounted on one side of ditch 10, adjacent plate 12.

A vertical lattice member 1'5, having a cut-out portion 14 on one side thereof is fixed to upper and lower frame channels 6 and 11 adjacent to side board 4.

A plurality of lattice members 20 and 20' are mounted intermediate vertical lattice member 15 and side board 4. Each lattace member 20 and 20 has a lower projecting pin 19 fitted to slide along rubber member 13 and an upper pivot roller 18 engaging rail 16 of railing lattice '17.

vHinge members 21, each having plate portions 26 and 23 pivotally connected together, are pivotally mounted adjacent the upper portion of and between lattices 15 and 20 and lattices 20 and 20'. Hinge members 21 have a projection 22 which limits the pivotal movement thereof so that they may freely open or shut in only one direction.

Control plate 25 is hingedly mounted on lodging member 9 of frame channel 11. Control plate 25 has a plurality of cutout guide portions 24 which engage lattices 20 and 20', pushing the same against rubber member '16 and provide proper spacing of lattices 20 and 20'.

Wing members or louvers 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d are respectively attached to side board 4, lattice 20, lattice 20 and lattice 15 by hinges 33. For the sake of brevity, wing members 27a, 2/7b, 27c, and 27d may hereinafter be referred to collectively as wing members or louvers 27. Each wing member includes a hollow body portion 26 of suitable material such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc., and is of substantially right triangular cross section. Body portions 26 of wings 27b, 27c, and 27d include a face board portion 28 having an elongated flange portion 30 provided with an elongated notch-like depressed portion 29, and body portion 26 of each wing includes a flange member 31 extending from the outermost end of face board 28. Each flange member 31 is provided with a plate member 32.

A closing board 34 is mounted on side board 4'.

Wing members 27a and 27d are pivotally interconnected to an interlocating shaft 35 and wing members 27b and 27d are each provided with a roller 37 which ride within rail 36 of shaft 35.

Plate members 32 of wings 27b, 27c and 27d are connected by pins or screws 38 to a chain 41. Another chain 41 is attached at one end thereof to a pin or screw 38 of plate member 32 of wing 27a and is provided at the other end thereof with hook-like portion 39. Plate member 32 of wing 27b is provided with a plate 40 to which hook 39 may be interconnected.

In the closing of louvers 27, from the full line position as shown in FIG. 1 to the dot and dash position of FIG. 1

and the showing of FIG. 3, louver 27a or 27d is pulled toward side X of the window. Since louvers 27a and 27d are pivotally connected to interlocating shaft 35, and are supported by hinges 33 at the innermost side thereof, pulling of either louver 27a or 27d toward side X of the window causes interlocking shaft 35 to move inwardly toward the window, which causes the other louvers to also pivot about their hinges 33 to a closed position, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 1. When louver 27d is pulled, transmission of this movement through chains 41 also assists in closing of the other louvers.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the louvers are closed, flange member 31 of each louver 27a, 27b and 27c nests respectively within notch-like portion 29 of flange portion 30 of each louver 27b, 27c and 27d and flange member 31 of louver 27d abuts closing board 34, providing a complete closure over the window in shutting out noise, light, and providing protection against fire, theft or storms. It is obvious that an appropriate lock could be provided for maintaining louvers 27 in the closed position.

In opening of louvers 27, louver 27a or 27d may be pushed outwardly, away from side X of the window, in reverse action from the closing thereof. In addition to the completely open or closed state of louvers 27, it is also obvious that the same can be positioned at intermediate angles, to provide a sun blind effect.

In the folding of louvers 27 to one side of the window, control plate 25 is rotated to the position as shown in FIG. 4, relieving pressure of lattices 20 and 20' against rubber member 13 and enabling the same to move free of confinement within guide portions 24 of control plate 25; hook 39 is unhooked from plate 40; and lattice 20 is moved toward lattice 15. Rollers 18 and 37 of lattices 20 and 20' permit respective guided movement of lattices 20 and 20 along rail 16 of railing lattice 17 and rail 36 f interlocking shaft 36. Lattice 20 is also guided by folding of hinge member 21 between lattices 2b and 20 moving toward lattice 20' and causing lattice 20 to move toward lattice 15, the same being also guided by folding of hinge member 21 between lattices 2t) and 15. This folding can also be accomplished by pulling on chain 41 which extends between louvers 27b, 27c and 27d, as is obvious.

The closing of louvers 27 of the form of invention as shown in FIGS. 1-4 may be accomplished only by moving louver 27a or 27d, since louvers 27b and 270 are rollers mounted with respect to interlocating rod 35, and any pulling on louver 27b or 27c may cause dislocation of rollers 37 from rail 36. The modification of FIGS. 8 overcome this defect.

In the modification of FIGS. 58, interlocking rod 35 and rollers 37 are eliminated, the parts thereof otherwise being identical, and identical reference characters have therefore been applied.

In the modifications, wing members 27a and 27d are respectively pivotally interconnected at 52 and 52 to a transmission rod 51, transmission rod 51 is provided with a plurality of spaced notches 50, and wing members 27b and 27c are provided with pins 53 which cooperate with notches 50 as will be subsequently described.

As previously stated, the louvers of the modification can be shut by pulling any louver, pulling the same toward side X of the window. Pulling on louver 27a or 27d will pull transmission rod 51 toward the window causing cooperation closure of louvers 27a and 27d as previously described in connection with the embodiment first described, the movement of transmission rod 51 toward the window causing notches 51 thereof to engage pins 53 of louvers 27b and 270, thereby cooperatively closing the same with louvers 27a and 27d. Chains 41 will also cooperate in pulling louvers 27a, 27b and 27c closed when closing force is applied to louver 27d. If the louvers are closed by pulling louver 27b or 270 toward side X of the window, the same will act through chains 41, pulling louver 27a closed and moving transmission rod 51 inwardly, as previously described.

The louvers of the modification can be opened by pushing outwardly on any louver, the same acting in reverse of the closing action previously described, through chains 41 and transmission rod 51 in the opening thereof.

Since louvers 27b and 270 are not directly connected to trasmission rod 51, there is no likelihood of distortion of transmission rod 51 when a force applied to louver 2711 or 270 is used to open and close the louvers.

The louvers of the modification are folded to one side of the window in substantially the same manner as previously described in connection with the first embodiment. In this case, however, there is no engagement of louvers 27b and 270 with transmission rod 51, providing further assurance that the same will not act to distort transmission rod 51.

What is claimed is:

1. In a folding l'ouvered closure for positioning across the openings of windows, doors and the like, the combination of a frame circumscribing an aperture substantially identical to the opening across which the folding louvered closure is to be positioned, a plurality of louvers, louver support means for pivotal mounting of said louvers in a spaced apart relationship across the aperture of said frame in juxtaposition whereby said louvers may be rotated in one direction to provide a substantial closure for the aperture of said frame and rotated in another direction to provide a relatively free thruway through the aperture of said frame, means interconnecting said louvers for substantially contemporaneous rotation thereof, the endmost of said louver support means being in a fixed position with respect to said frame and said louver support means intermediate said endmost louver support means comprising movable lattices, said frame including rail means and said movable lattices including roller means engaging said rail means for slidably supporting said movable lattices on said frame in juxtaposition whereby said movable lattices and the louvers mounted thereon may be slidably folded and unfolded toward and away from one of said endmost louver support means, and contrbl means operable to a first position in maintaining said movable lattices in a spaced apart position across the aperture of said frame and with respect to said endmost louver support means and operable to a second position in enabling folding and unfolding of said movable lattices toward and away from one of said endmost louver support means.

2. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises an elongated control plate having a plurality of guide portions which engage said movable lattices in maintaining the same in a spaced apart position with respect to each other and with respect to said endmost louver support means, and hinge means for rotatably mounting said control plate on said frame for releasing engagement of said control plate with said movable lattices and permitting the same to be folded to- Ward one of said endmost louver support means.

3. The combination as specified in claim 2 wherein said frame includes upper and lower frame channels, said upper channel including said rail means, and said lower channel including an elongated rubber member, said elongated rubber member being positioned with respect to said movable lattices and said control plate for urging of said movable lattices against said rubber member by engagement of said guide portions of said control plate with said movable lattices.

4. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said means interconnecting said louvers for substantially contemporaneous rotation thereof comprises an interlocating shaft having an elongated rail, pivot means for interconnecting each said endmost louver support means adjacent opposite ends of said interlocating shaft, roller means mounted on said movable lattices and engaging said rail of said interlocating shaft, said louvers including chain means interconnected across the outermost ends thereof when the same are positioned in a spaced apart relation with respect to each other, said chain means being separable for folding of said movable lattices toward one of said endmost louver support means.

5. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein said louvers include chain means interconnected across the outermost ends thereof when the same are positioned in a spaced apart relation with respect to each other, said means interconnecting said louvers for substantially contemporaneous movement comprises a transmission rod having a plurality of spaced notches, pivot means for interconnecting each said endmost louver support means adjacent opposite ends of said transmission rod, and each louver of said movable lattices includes pin means posi tioned for operable abutment within a notch of said transmission rod on rotation of said louvers to provide a substantial closure for the aperture of said frame, said chain means being separable for folding of said movable lattices toward one of said endmost louver support means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,422,407 6/1947 Green 160--172 2,577,884 12/1951 Garubo 160-172 2,672,928 3/1954 King 160-172 3,014,525 12/1961 Zytka 160168 3,106,240 10/1963 Weber 160'166 MEYER PERLIN, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 160-172 

